Powerful Combinations

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Powerful Combinations

Timothy Silas Tocci / MFA ID Portfolio 2011

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Contents

Introduction

Tim Tocci

01 Dell Core ............................................................. 4

I’m a designer, an engineer, and a student—

Product Designer / Engineer / Student

03 Vouch .................................................................. 24

by the definition of my middle name Silas

www.poweredbysilas.com

02 Armadillo ........................................................... 16 04 Subterfuge ........................................................ 28 05 Water Lily .......................................................... 38

this powerful combination is encapsulated

meaning “three.” I have a passion for design

as the intersection of art, science, and people. All parts are integral and codependent,

and as such they require an equally holistic

approach that embraces aesthetics, emotion,

functionality, technology, context, and culture.

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+1 781 572 1902 / tim@poweredbysilas.com


Process My process can be divided into three major

xt te n Co

phases: culture, concept, and creation. Within

Conict

the culture phase is the study of characters or

stakeholders for a given project, and like every

Exp lor at io n

good story, these characters are placed in a

context. Observing these characters in context through ethnographic research, patterns

emerge indicating a conflict, which in turn,

ation Ide

Chara cter s

yields design opportunities.

In the concept phase, design opportunities

are explored in a divergent process through ideation, and these concepts are validated

according to findings from the culture phase. Validated concepts are further refined and converge during the prototyping phase.

g etin ark M

Manufa c t u rin g

Engineering

ing yp ot ot Pr

Design

Valid atio n

Anthropology

During the creation phase, prototypes are

prepared for manufacturing by generating CAD models and control drawings,

applying materials, and applying Design for Manufacturing and Assembly techniques.

Throughout each phase, marketing strategy, manufacturing techniques, and user needs

are considered to ensure that final products

resonate with client, customer, and user needs.

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01 Dell Core

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Culture

Concept

Creation

The purpose of this project was to develop

After synthesizing our research into six

After conducting usability testing on

the next generation of students in higher

we realized the need for a holistic solution

models to fit ergonomic considerations.

computing devices for Dell targeted at

education. Ten weeks were spent gathering ethnographic research through interviews, cultural probes, surveys, and focus groups. Findings from these studies were refined

into design heuristics for personas, scenarios, and opportunities.

personas and associated design scenarios, encompassing the hardware, interface,

and service aspects of college computing. Focusing on the needs for increased

academic and social collaboration, we

designed the CORE brand and experience to resonate with stakeholder values.

laser-cut mockups, we refined our CAD

We constructed our prototypes using a

FDM machine. To demonstrate usage in

academic environments, we applied printed green screens with numbers for the various touch points and portrayed the interaction through a video.

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Live, Work, Play Environments We decided to categorize the college environment according to the live,

work, play model. The live environment includes domestic activities and

extracurricular activities such as clubs. Work includes various study settings as well as employment. Play encompasses sports and entertainment.

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Segment Mapping To develop our personas we categorized our

qualitative data using psychographic, demographic,

and lifestyle variables (i.e. creative vs. analytical) and mapped them on a spectrum.

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SEAN

MARIA

AIMEE

CHRIS

FIONA

JEFF

Sean works hard to

Maria consistently

Aimee is studying

Chris is a talented

Fiona is a dreamer

J. Breezy likes to

He’s also organized

fellow sorority

She’s interested in

achiever with a full

lost in fantasy

He’s perpetually on

excel athletically.

because he needs to balance sports and

schoolwork with the rest of his life.

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encourages her

sisters. She’s always there to share the newest gossip or offer solace.

physics at MIT.

intellectual books, fair trade coffee

shops, and long nature walks.

and ambitious

schedule. He plans on attending law

school and getting

involved in politics.

who often gets

worlds and enjoys exploring those

worlds through the arts and media.

relax and enjoy life.

vacation; he likes to

experience to college without worrying

about schoolwork.


Cultural Model To better comprehend the stakeholders involved in higher education networks, we mapped

user groups and their communication disconnects. We discovered an opportunity for Dell to provide a service plan that facilitates interoperability and sharing through a cloud platform.

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Interaction Ideation During this phase of conceptualization, several form factors and interfaces were explored to improve student collaborative experiences

through NFC networking, syncopated video and note-taking, augmented reality for classrooms, and simplified scheduling.

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User Experience Envisioning the experience from the end of high school until the beginning of college,

we identified crucial emotional touch points and correlating design opportunities which culminated in the concept of a welcome

pack. This pack would be co-branded with

the school and include a Dell tablet and smart phone preloaded with all of the necessary

documentation for orientation--housing, class scheduling, roommate selection, etc. 12


Everywhere, Everyday Our research and usability testing led us to

classify devices in three categories: everywhere products (i.e. smartphones), everyday products (i.e. tablets and laptops), and stationary

products (i.e. desktop computers). These

categorical distinctions helped us determine the various needs and corresponding features for end users.

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Usability Testing To determine the appropriate scale and

assess the human factors considerations for each device, we conducted a series of tests

using printed keyboards and ink pads to track the typing accuracy of each participant.

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Check out the video at http://bit.ly/e77rA0 15


02 Armadillo

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Culture

Concept

Creation

Levolor presented our class with the persona

Inspired by natural armor plating, the

After a series of paper prototypes

woman with an annual income of $75,000+

of fabric covered plates that limit noise

was constructed from laser cut acrylic (0.09

other values, behaviors, and emotions of

dispersion. The parabolic contours of

of Natasha--35+ year old professional

and interests in home decor. Examining the Natasha, it became clear that opportunities existed to reassure with a sense of security, privacy, novelty, and efficiency.

Armadillo is a window covering composed impingement and improve interior acoustic the blinds reflect exterior noise while

deflecting interior noise to create a balanced atmosphere.

established the general form, the final model in). The acrylic was heat treated to achieve

the desired curvature. The final plates were then covered in a grey cotton fabric and

assembled in a mahogany frame. The final

model removes corded assemblies which in turn cuts cycle times.

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Emotion Mapping To develop a list of design opportunities

and criteria for our persona, we investigated

emotions associated with using window blinds. We mapped these emotions to guide ideation.

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Opportunities From our mapping three dominant

characteristics emerged. These were distilled into three opportunities which resulted in specific design criteria.

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Ideation To remove the fear of purchasing the wrong size, an automated system is designed to capture window

measurements optically using a smartphone. Images are analyzed by an app which automates the manufacturing. Creating a personal connection with the product and developing brand loyalty is achieved with customized

packaging that can be reused at the end of the product life cycle to return old products to the Levolor for recycling. After examining the Armadillo form, it was determined that a track and roller setup could be substituted in lieu of

cords. Additionally, the locking mechanism uses a rack and pinion release with arms that lock in slots on the track similar to a garage door. The plates are held in formation by guide strings similar to a Roman shade.

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Hero in a Half Shell Improving Natasha’s user experience through environment-enhancing acoustics and form,

the Armadillo also benefits Levolor by cutting manufacturing cycle times.

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03 Vouch

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Culture Have you ever gone to the store to

return something and lost the receipt? Chances are that makes retailers more

nervous than it makes you. In 2009 the National Retail Federation estimated that 1 in 13 returns were fraudulent,

resulting in losses of up to $14.8b. How do you mitigate these losses while

enhancing the customer’s experience? Concept There’s an app for that. Introducing

a mobile app that assists consumers

before, during, and after their shopping visits by facilitating shopping lists,

offering budgeting tools, and finally

recording receipts—all for free. Here’s the catch: shopping lists, budgets, and receipts are used to form analytics for consumer spending behavior. Creation Analytics are purchased by major

retailers, providing enhanced proximitybased metrics as well as operational

safeguards against fraudulent returns. This business-to-business marketing plan requires a two-tier strategy

appealing to both consumers and

retailers alike. Financial statements and

projections are also included in the plan. 25


Journey Map The following journey

map illustrates how Vouch

improves both the customer’s shopping experience and the retailer’s marketing analytics.

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Paperless Trail Shopper’s and business travelers alike benefit from improved record keeping of electronic

receipts. Additionally, retailers cut receipt paper

supply costs and promote an eco-friendly image.

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04 Subterfuge

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Culture

Concept

Creation

To create a grassroots change, it helps to

Urban and suburban areas create turbulent

Our early prototypes failed due to their

way that dandelions disperse their seeds

design challenge led us to a vertical axis

remedy these problems we laser cut airfoil

have some pervasive weeds. In the same en masse we sought to develop a small

wind turbine that would diffuse rapidly in the most populated areas of the United

States, namely, the coasts. Using contextual research on the perception of wind power, we investigated concepts for small wind.

and inconsistent wind patterns, and this concept. A cowl was added to improve

the rotor spin speed by reducing the drag opposing the direction of rotation. To

appeal to a big box distribution model, the retail price point was targeted at

$1000--roughly that of a large appliance.

heavy weight and inconsistent airfoils. To ribs and spines from acrylic and cut the

number of spokes from 8 to 6. Our initial

lift-based design didn’t spin as fast as our shrouded drag design. Further iterations

would include a scoop or fin to rotate the shroud in the direction of the wind.

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Ideation During the ideation phase a variety of horizontal axis and vertical axis turbines were explored.

Additionally, kite or blimp concepts were also considered as a means of removing possible

aesthetic intrusion by appealing to contextual forms. Within these categories we explored the benefits

and setbacks of lift-based systems and drag-based systems. Drag systems worked best for low start

up speeds, but they were incapable of attaining the same top speed as the lift systems. 30


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Strong To maximize the strength-toweight ratio, we cut stringers and ribs from polycarbonate and acrylic.

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+

Light Our first prototype used

ripstop nylon for the skin.

This proved tedious to wrap, but aluminum was heavy.

=

We have lift off. Research suggested that a symmetric airfoil was optimal for minimizing turbulence. To

determine the angle of attack, we built a foam core prototype and tested a range of angles.


Roof Scoop

Rotates side panels to

prevent degenerative drag

Composite Spokes

Maintain rigidity while minimizing weight

Delrin Ball Bearings

Promote minimal friction with natural lubricity

Wind Barriers

Painted aluminum

sheets direct wind to create positive drag

Steel Mast

Provides bolt holes for roof mounting

Staggered Magnets Extend magnetic field dispersion

Copper Armature Coils Conduct current from

moving magnetic field 33


01/ Foam Model

04/ Aluminum Rotors

Our first model used foam

Scaling our paper prototype, skinned

didn’t generate enough lift.

proved too heavy for small wind

rotors and acrylic spokes and

the rotors with aluminum. This model power generation.

02/ Paper Prototype

03/ Acrylic Ribs

We developed a foam core and

Employing aerostructure

angles of attack for the rotors.

a skeleton for the rotors

paper prototype to test various

techniques, we developed using polycarbonate

c-channels and acrylic ribs.

04/ Ripstop Rotors

05/ Foam-Acrylic Spokes

In an effort to cut weight we used

Employing strategies to develop a high

proved difficult to work with.

composite spokes from acrylic and foam.

ripstop nylon for the skin, but this

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stiffness to weight ratio, we created


06/ Foam-Acrylic Spokes To cut weight, we used 3/16� foam

core and acrylic to inexpensively model the material properties of aluminum honeycomb sandwich sheets.

07/ Final Rotors + Spokes To strengthen the rotors we added stringers to prevent bending. We skinned the rotors

using a thin plastic sheet to cut weight. The

perforations accommodate magnets moving across the armature.

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Subterfuge Power to the People

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05 Water Lily

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Culture

Concept

Creation

The brief for this human factors project asked

In an effort to alleviate the discomforts of

Field testing revealed that users were

anthropometric data, dynamic load testing,

“watering can� effect by gently curving

supplementary graphics were required to

us to design an improved garden tool using

and environmental factors. After conducting user research, we discovered that some

seniors feel fatigued while watering their plants. Additionally, some interviewees

mentioned stress from squeezing a trigger and tripping hazards from the hose itself.

watering, the Water Lily promotes a natural toward the base of plants, preventing over-

spray and facilitating a neutral wrist position. Additionally, the Water Lily benefits arthritic

gardeners by supplying soft grips and a twist valve in lieu of a squeeze trigger. It offers

multiple grips for different watering tasks.

satisfied with the design although

demonstrate the correct orientation. Users

suggested to keep the color yellow to make it distinguishable among plants and grass. Some users were so delighted with the

prototype that they asked if we could make a version for the shower.

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Introduction

ring finger length

The first phase of this project entails gathering

01% 02% 50% 99%

anthropometric data relevant to the specific

tool, task, environment, and user. For the hose nozzle, physical user interaction is limited to the hand; therefore, several measurements

pertaining to the dimensions of my hand were recorded and compared with anthropometric data from the US (see Dreyfuss). All measure-

ments are taken with calipers in mm. The data are compared to data for the 1st, 50th, and

US ¦ 69 mm US ¦ 73 mm US ¦ 81 mm US ¦ 93 mm

middle finger length 01% US ¦ 74 mm 06% US ¦ 80 mm 50% US ¦ 88 mm 99% US ¦ 99 mm

Man and Woman: human factors in design. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2002. p 42.

index finger length

01% 16% 50% 99%

little finger length

01% 07% 50% 99%

source: Dreyfuss, Henry. The Measure of

US ¦ 51 mm US ¦ 55 mm US ¦ 61 mm US ¦ 71 mm

US ¦ 66 mm US ¦ 71 mm US ¦ 76 mm US ¦ 86 mm

index finger breadth

01% 46% 50% 99%

99th percentiles for men from the US. My dimensions are in green.

US ¦ 18 mm US ¦ 20 mm US ¦ 21 mm US ¦ 24 mm

thumb length

01% 43% 50% 99%

US ¦ 48 mm US ¦ 58 mm US ¦ 59 mm US ¦ 69 mm

thumb breadth

01% 23% 50% 99%

hand breadth

01% 50% 93% 99%

hand thickness 01% US ¦ 28mm 50% US ¦ 33 mm 93% US ¦ 37 mm 99% US ¦ 38 mm

hand thickness w/ thumb 01% 29% 50% 99%

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US ¦ 51 mm US ¦ 60 mm US ¦ 62 mm US ¦ 72 mm

US ¦ 28mm US ¦ 33 mm US ¦ 37 mm US ¦ 38 mm

hand breadth across thumb

01% 07% 50% 99%

US ¦ 51 mm US ¦ 55 mm US ¦ 61 mm US ¦ 71 mm

US ¦ 14 mm US ¦ 22 mm US ¦ 23 mm US ¦ 32 mm


Grip Measurements

source: Pheasant, Stephen. Bodyspace: anthropometry,

To measure the maximum grip diameter, the hand is

ergonomics and the design of work. Boca Raton, FL:

placed around a cone and lowered until only the

Taylor Francis Group, 2006. pp 244, 249, and 254.

thumb and middle fingers touch (Pheasant 250). The maximum functional spread is taken by gripping a wooden wedge with the tip end segments of the thumb and ring fingers (250). My dimensions are in green.

05% 50% 66% 95%

maximum grip

US (est) ¦ 45 mm US (est) ¦ 52 mm US (est) ¦ 54 mm US (est) ¦ 59 mm

maximum spread

05% 47% 50% 95%

US (est) ¦ 112 mm US (est) ¦ 141 mm US (est) ¦ 142 mm US (est) ¦ 162 mm

Usage Sequence

Shown below are the typical exercises performed while using a standard garden hose nozzle. The diagrams depict (1) lifting the nozzle off the ground with a distributed load from the hose itself growing as it is lifted, (2) changing the elevation of the nozzle in the y direction, (3) changing the angle of the nozzle in the x-z plane (rotate about y-axis), (4) changing the rotation of the nozzle (rotate about the x axis) 3

2

1 a

4

erector spinae

gluteus maximus

trapezius

deltoid (medial)

c

biceps forearm flexors

hamstring

biceps

b metacarpal flexors

deltoid (posterior) biceps

deltoid (medial) triceps

d

forearm flexors

metacarpal flexors

latissimus forearm flexors dorsi (lats) metacarpal flexors

forearm flexors metacarpal flexors

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Ideation Using our findings from the anthropometric data,

usage studies, and competitive product research, we generated several ideas for ergonomic hose nozzles suited specifically for seniors’ needs.

Specific design opportunities related to fatigue, grip strength, as well as wrist and back angle. The Water Lily (above center) supports a neutral wrist position and accommodates multiple watering tasks.

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Tim Tocci Product Designer / Engineer / Student +1 781 572 1902 / tim@poweredbysilas.com www.poweredbysilas.com

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